Lightweight Energy Chain for Long Travels

The E4Q energy chain offers a smooth, contoured design and a completely new crossbar concept with weight-reducing locking straps to ensure that the e-chain can be opened and closed in seconds without tools. The energy chain has been specifically developed for the special requirements of unsupported lengths, featuring a long service life and a high degree of modularity.

In order to optimize material and therefore the weight of the energy chain, shapes inspired by nature are used. The smooth, contoured design can be found on the outside of the chain links as well as on the stop-dogs. Despite material recesses, the development has a high strength and stability comparable to the E4.1 series.

Another special feature of the E4Q is the crossbars that can be opened and closed without tools. On the top of the crossbar, there are two hollows for the fingers, by which the locking hooks can be easily pulled up. Unlocked on both sides, the crossbar can be removed with little effort. This allows the easy opening and closing of the chain even in a guide trough and accelerates the filling of the e-chain by up to 40%. Another advantage is the crossbar has significantly higher pull-out forces than its counterparts in the locked state.

Due to its special design, the e-chain is in movement. However, if the user desires additional noise reduction, igus has integrated an optional system in the inner horizontal stop-dog for the E4Q. These are two connected balls that dampen the impact during the radius and extension stop. The balls are made of a new noise-optimized and soft material that further reduces the sound level without restricting the stability of the stop-dogs.